Su Ye's smile disappeared the moment he stepped onto the balcony. That gentle, pitiful expression he wore infront of Tang Xiyu was gone, replaced by a cold, sharp mask. He looked every bit the man in control, a predator ready to strike.
"Speak," he said, his voice calm but edged with danger.
"Boss, I've found the info you asked for. Last night… your car was tampered with," the assistant reported quickly.
Su Ye's lips curved in a small, cruel smile. "Let me guess… Su Haoming."
"Yes, Boss. That's right. We have the evidence. Do you want me to release it, show it to your father?"
A soft, cruel chuckle escaped Su Ye. "No. Let that frog keep on jumping."
"But Boss, we could use this against him—"
"The higher they jump, the harder they fall," he interrupted, calm and cold as ice.
There was a pause on the other end. "Yes, Boss… but really, are we doing nothing? This is the third time Su Haoming has tried to harm you."
"How can that be?" Su Ye asked, his voice light, almost teasing. His eyes, though, glinted dangerously as he looked up at the moon.
"Then… what should we do?"
A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. "Second Young Master Su has been working hard. I think it's time he takes a long vacation." Meaning, throw Su Haoming into a remote island with no phone, no signal, no food, and no escape route.
His assistant laughed, catching the meaning immediately. "Understood, Boss."
"Good," Su Ye smirked. "Make sure to leave no trace."
"Yes, Boss," the assistant laughed, understanding the unspoken orders.
Su Ye's gaze shifted back toward the kitchen. Watching the little woman move, unaware of the beast standing on the balcony, his eyes softened.
"Assistant Xu," he said after a pause, "for a few days, I need to keep my identity hidden. Be extra careful when you meet me."
"Is this for Miss Tang?" the assistant asked.
"Call her Madam Su," he corrected, a faint possessiveness in his voice. "I don't want her to be scared by who I really am."
"Understood, Boss."
Su Ye's sharp gaze darkened for a moment. "Have you found the person who drugged her in that club?"
"I'm still looking, Boss," the assistant replied.
"Then look faster, Assistant Xu. I want to know who dared use such a method on her."
"Understood, Boss."
Hanging up, he stepped back and leaned against the railing. She looked so small, so soft, and so unaware of the beast that had set its sights on her.
Thinking of how he met her, the corners of his lips lifted up. Unlike what this little woman thought, they weren't complete strangers. Infact, last night was their second meeting. Years ago, when he had run away from home after his mother's death, he met a little girl no taller than his waist.
During those sad winter days, she had wiped his tears and comforted him. He had remembered that girl. And last night, when she had thrown herself into his arms, recognition had struck him instantly.
She was the same girl… and now, she was his.
He had no illusions about love, and after seeing his mother's miserable marriage, he had never believed in it. But when he saw her last night, something inside him had shifted.
His heart had skipped a beat, then pounded as if it had never beaten that fast before.
He had decided then—if he could keep her close, he would. And the contract? That was the perfect way to bind her to him. After all, as a skilled hunter, how could he let go of his delicious prey?
As for whether she loved him now didn't matter—she would, eventually.
Since she came to him, she was his!
Maybe he would have to thank his so-called stepbrother for that. After all, if Su Haoming hadn't tampered with his car, then he wouldn't have jumped out and gone into the club and met her.
So, maybe, after letting his brother relax for a month, he will send help.
But, only maybe...
Turning back into that soft, warm man, he stepped back into the house. His beautiful wife wiped her hand and approached him. "So when are you leaving?"
"Leaving?" Su Ye raised his brows.
Her brown eyes widened slightly. "Are you going to stay here?"
"Wife… I have nowhere else to go. Aren't you keeping me here? Or are you really that heartless?" His eyes narrowed, staring at her like she'd committed the worst crime imaginable.
She froze, looking completely speechless.
She looked so ridiculously cute that he almost wanted to poke her cheeks and laugh. But that would ruin his act, wouldn't it?
So he swallowed the urge and kept up the pitiful facade, all while wielding his most dangerous weapon—his face.
He had known from a young age that his looks could get him almost anything. Growing up, women had thrown themselves at him, which only irritated him.
But now… seeing her conflicted expression—annoyed yet clearly affected—he couldn't resist turning up the charm just a little. After all, if he didn't use his best feature, how could he possibly "win" his wife over?
"Fine," she said finally, pointing at the floor. "You sleep on the ground."
The corner of his lips curled up, and he nodded obediently. Okay."
Fifteen minutes later, he stared at the makeshift bed on the floor and then at the heartless little woman already fast asleep on the bed. He shook his head, letting out a soft sigh.
Only she would tell the heir of the Su family—the CEO of Quantum Tech Industries—to sleep on the ground. People would laugh themselves silly if they knew.
After another fifteen minutes, once he was certain she had fallen into a deep sleep, his eyes glinted with a predator's focus. Slowly, he approached, brushing a lock of hair from her face.
Carefully, he lifted her into his arms. She didn't stir. She was asleep, completely oblivious.
A small, satisfied smile tugged at his lips as he carried her to the bed on the ground. Lowering her carefully, he pulled her close, pressing a soft, deliberate kiss to her lips.
"Good night, my wife," he whispered, closing his eyes as he held her tight.